Rosscarbery. 5th April 2009.

I'd consider this a very good day's racing. Weather and atmosphere were pleasant. A couple of close finishes, a rising star, a bit of suspense injected into "horse of the year" honours... all hard to beat in a day's racing.

• Grade A (The Gallant Man Cup & Fachtna McCarthy Plaque) - 1. Shanahan/Whelton/Hayes's Driven Storm (T. O'Leary), 4/5 fav; 2. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (D. McCarthy), 4/1; 3. W. J. Cooke's Just For Joe (A. Sweeney), 6/1. 6 ran, 1L, 8l. 4th, Hilltop Tuck, 2/1. NR Dilly's Dragon
• Storm led them off, and was going great guns until a little mishap by another horse at half-way caused him to lose ground. Genius took it up, and they rounded the last almost locked together. They really fought it out, with Storm prevailing in the closing stages. A decent enough performance by Joe.

• Grade B (Jim Canty Perpetual Cup) - 1. S. Cronin's Home Ambrose (J. McSweeney), 3/1; 2. Mary Bennett's Magical Sole (M. O'Reilly), 3/1; 3. P. O'Driscoll's Vyrnwy David (D. McCarthy), 6/1. 7 ran, 1 1/2l, 3l. 4th, Meadowbranch Jake, 4/1
• Bytheway led until the last turn. Ambrose was always in touch and took it up from there. Sole gave chase but could not get on terms. Kelly's Hero and Oakview Flash (2/1 fav.) were pulled up around halfway. David never seemed to really spark.

• Golden Mile (Colman Milner Perpetual Cup) - 1. M. Hurley/G. McCarthy's Duggan's Diplomat (T. O'Leary), 4/1; 2. J. O'Callaghan's Lees Dale Star (J. Sheehy), 3/1; 3. K. O'Connell's Posh Paddy (J. McSweeney), 1/1 fav. 6 ran, nk, nk. 4th, I'mindoubletrouble, 5/1
• Diplomat took charge after they sorted themselves out. I'mindoubletrouble flattered early on. Star and Paddy went very well but it was Diplomat's day - a well deserved one.

• Grade C (Connie White Plant Hire Perpetual Cup) - 1. Deasy/Hurley/Keohane's On The Run (J. McSweeney), 4/5 fav; 2. A. Hamilton's Ebony Jane (Noreen McSweeney), 5/2; 3. J.P. O'Donovan's Crown Direct (K. Sheehy), 5/1. 5 ran, 7l, 2l. 4th, Swift Harrier, 5/1.
• They started out and it was Slipawaytravascus who led them in, followed by Run. It was he who was first away after this while Jane lost gait after the turn. She caught up quickly enough and it seems she rounded the last turn all right. But Run looked to have plenty in hand and from there was never in any danger.

• Grade D (John & Jim Maguire Perpetual Cup) - 1. P. McInerney's Speedy Acktion (J. McSweeney), 6/4 fav; 2. P. Hill's Hillside Dream (Emma Kane), 2/1; 3. J. O'Donovan's Bonkerstotallynuts (Owner), 4/1. 6 ran, 4l, nk. 4th, Free Spirit, 4/1
• Acktion led from the start and what a lovely sight she was. She did not seem to put a foot wrong. She's something to look forward to for the future. Dream ran well and this puts him very close to landing road horse honours.

• Grade E (Gary Coughlan Perpetual Cup) - 1. P. Hayes's Watch Me Now Boys (Noreen McSweeney), 2/1; 2. D. Shanahan's Cam's Lily (T. O'Leary), 1/2 fav; 3. K. Hurley/K. Santry's Dyno Thunder (J. McSweeney), 4/1. 7 ran, nk, 8l. 4th, Seawave, 6/1
• Watch led from the off. Lily was in hot pursuit while Dyno gave a couple of skips at the start. Watch gamely held on at the line while Lily loses nothing in this defeat. Seawave seems to be improving.

• Novice (Abbey Bar Perpetual Cup) - 1. F. Brickley's Ringo Kid (D. Brickley), 4/5 fav; 2. T. Enright/Amy O'Reilly's Ship's Cruiser (J. McSweeney), 5/1; 3. M. Herlihy's Lakeside Stallone (D. McCarthy), 5/1. 5 ran, 1 1/2l, 8l. 4th, Peterstone Coyote, 6/1.
• Ringo impressed in this. He had been impressive, I'm told, at Ballylickey, and he was more than this here. Cruiser led until half-way down the straight. Ringo had been slow enough at the turn but was more than able to make up for it at the business end. Another one to look forward to.